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Enhanced external counterpulsation in the management of patients with cardiovascular disease

O Soran1, L E Crawford, V M Schneider

  • 1Cardiology Department, University of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA.

Clinical Cardiology
|March 20, 1999
PubMed

Insights

Enhanced external counterpulsation (EECP) offers long-term benefits for chronic coronary disease angina. This mechanical therapy may stimulate angiogenesis via shear stress, promoting new blood vessel growth in the heart.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Biomedical Engineering
  • Vascular Biology

Background:

  • Decades of research suggest enhanced external counterpulsation (EECP) benefits patients with chronic coronary disease and angina.
  • Previous non-sham controlled trials are now supported by a multicenter, randomized trial, strengthening evidence for EECP efficacy.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To explore the long-term benefits of enhanced external counterpulsation (EECP) in patients suffering from angina due to chronic coronary disease.
  • To investigate the potential mechanisms underlying EECP's therapeutic effects on myocardial cellular processes.

Main Methods:

  • Review of numerous non-sham controlled trials and a recent multicenter, randomized trial.
  • Analysis of scientific investigations into the effects of shear stress induced by EECP.

Main Results:

  • EECP demonstrates long-term benefits for angina in chronic coronary disease patients.
  • Proposed mechanism involves shear stress from EECP stimulating growth factors and angiogenesis in coronary beds.

Conclusions:

  • EECP is a valuable therapeutic option for chronic coronary disease.
  • Ongoing trials and registries will further clarify EECP's role, particularly in patients with left ventricular dysfunction.

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